Seventh-day Adventists in the South of England

This week's edition of the *SEC Newsletter*. Please read it and share it: https://advent.ist/sec-101

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London Balham SDA Church, June 15th @ 4pm.
Speaker: Pastor Sam Neves, the Associate Director for Communication and Media at the General Conference.
Please, register here: https://ermf.short.gy/prayerandtechnology
All welcome.

Newbold School Board of Governors invites applications for the following vacancy:

Job: Support Worker/Teaching Assistant for Early Years

Starting date: 1st September 2024.
Closing date for applications: 12th June 2024
Interview date: Wednesday 19th June 2024

Newbold School is a small, independent, Seventh-day Adventist primary school. We offer excellent pupil behaviour and a happy work environment within a supportive, dynamic team.

We need a dedicated, proactive person who has a passion for Early Years education (Nursery and Reception). Experience of working with children is essential. Please contact Mrs J Crissey, Headteacher, for a visit to the school, an informal chat and an application pack.

School location: Popeswood Road, Binfield, Bracknell, RG42 4AH (Tel: 01344 421088)

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.newboldschool.co.uk

Newbold School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff to share this commitment. DBS and full security checks will be carried out on the successful applicant. Any candidate with a record of crimes against children will be reported to the police.
The South England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is committed to data protection/privacy.

Hey there, SEC family!
We’re thrilled to invite you to the SEC Area Camp Meeting 2024, which will take place from July 20th to 27th. Our theme this year is “Maranatha! Are You Ready?” It’s a powerful reminder of Christ’s soon return and our need to be prepared.
Join us for a week of inspiring messages, uplifting music, and heartfelt fellowship. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow closer to God and strengthen your faith. Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable experience!
More info to come. Stay tuned!
Remember, “Maranatha! Are You Ready?”
Let’s prepare our hearts together!

Newbold Reinstates Role of Vice-Principal – Pastor David Neal

At the 19 May meeting of the Newbold College of Higher Education (NCHE) Board, Dr Dan Serb, currently president of the Irish Mission, was appointed to the reinstated administrative role of ‘Vice Principal’, a position vacant since Dr Michael Pearson retired.

Daniel Duda (Chair, Newbold College Board) and Stephen Currow (NCHE Principal) welcomed Serb’s appointment.

“It is with great joy that we welcome Pastor Dan Serb to join the Newbold College family as Vice Principal at this time,” said Daniel Duda. “He has demonstrated his leadership skills in guiding the Irish Mission and has shown capacity in project management. As the Founding Director of the Centre for Conflict Resolution Europe, which has trained over 120 people across Europe, we look forward to his contributions as he joins the Newbold team.”

Read more: https://ted.adventist.org/news/newbold-reinstates-role-of-vice-principal/

Spring Meeting Elections at TED – Pastor David Neal

With Pastor Dejan Stojkovic's departure to serve as Youth Director for the Greater Sydney Conference in Australia, the Trans-European Division (TED) Executive Committee elected Pastor Marcel Ghioalda as Youth and Public Campus Ministries Director at their 20 May Spring Meeting. To further bolster Youth Ministries, the Executive Committee voted to elect Pastor Kevin Johns as Associate Youth Director responsible for Teens, Adventurers, and Pathfinders. Since 2021, Johns has served as Youth and Pathfinder Director for the British Union Conference (BUC).

Read more: https://ted.adventist.org/news/spring-meeting-elections/

Balham Seventh-day Adventist Church on June 15th, starting at 4 p.m. Led by Pastor Sam Neves, the Associate Director for Communication and Media at the General Conference. Please register here: https://ermf.short.gy/prayerandtechnology

Welcome to the *Summer Variety Concert* featuring inspirational music, poetry, a motivational speech from Adam Best, Challenge Feedback, and three prizes to be won by three people who will bring the most significant number of visitors 😃.

This event promises to uplift our spirits with joy and laughter. Free food will also be served after the concert.

You can grab your free entry tickets to the event while it lasts.

We look forward to seeing you, your family and friends. Please register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-variety-concert-tickets-906980903297

Live now! Social Media and Mental Health by Dr Sorin Petrof, the SEC Communications and Media Director.

CCS Mental Health Awareness Week - Thursday Cornerstone Counselling Services - Mental Health Awareness Week13th - 17th May 2024

*Mental Health Awareness Week* Day 5. Today, starting from *7 pm* please connect for a presentation by *Dr Sorin Petrof*, the SEC Communication and Media Director. Follow the link to connect: https://ccsmental-health-wk.glide.page/dl/245b4e

*Mental Health Awareness Week* Day 4. Today, starting from *7 pm* a presentation by *Vanessa Boachie*, psychological therapist. Follow the link to connect: https://ccsmental-health-wk.glide.page/dl/245b4e

*Mental Health Awareness Week* Day 2. Today, starting from *7 pm* a presentation from Dr *Beatrice Kastrati*, the NEC Health Ministry Director. Follow this link to connect: https://ccsmental-health-wk.glide.page/dl/245b4e

Fantastic Sabbath spent at the Milton Keynes Seventh-Day Adventist Church for their first Communication Day! What a lovely church and a vibrant communication and media team! Go SEC! Go MK!

Excited to be part of the Communications Day event at Milton Keynes SDA Church.

On Sunday, 21st April 2024, the SEC Executive Committee met and, among other important matters, elected the following individuals to fill these vacancies and a few additional positions that were not filled at the last Conference session. The names and positions are below:

Pastor Alexandru Mareniuc has been voted the new Stewardship director and will continue to be the Jewish ministry sponsor.

Sister Anastasia Ross was voted as the new Women’s Ministry director. She works at the BUC supporting the Evangelism Department and is excited to take up this new challenge.

Pastor Seth Adjare will assume the role of Prison Ministries sponsor in addition to pastoring the Worthing and Brighton & Hove congregations.

The Executive Committee has selected Brother Dwight Johns to be the Music director for the South England Conference. Dwight is fully qualified to degree level in music and is well known in the Adventist circle for his musical ability, affability, leadership skills and humility.

Pastor Steve McKenzie was selected to continue as the Property Development director.

The Executive Committee also asked Brother Paul Lee to serve as Director of Adventist Radio London.

Please join me in fervent prayer for these newly appointed people so that God may richly bless their work within the SEC and enable them to fulfil Christ’s given mission.

Dr Kirk Thomas, SEC President

Equipping the Saints, Inspired for Mission – Judith Purkiss

Apostle Paul instructed Ephesian believers about Christ's gifts to the church—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—tasked with equipping and empowering saints for ministry and church unity, aiming for spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT).

Pastor Royston Smith, Conference Personal Ministry Director, conducted a practical evangelism and discipleship seminar for Frimley, Slough Central, and Grace Linc churches titled 'Equipping and Releasing for Mission.' Recognizing that every member has a unique story to share, the seminar included four sessions: two virtual on Zoom and two in-person. The topics covered were designed to be immediately applicable, including influential soul-winning, the role of the Holy Spirit, intercessory prayer, building relationships for Christ, and sharing the Gospel.

The training had a profound impact on the attendees, emphasising conversational evangelism and scriptural knowledge. Through interactive workshops, which fostered deeper understanding through discussions and Q&A, participants reported a significant increase in their spiritual enrichment and motivation. Many also noted a strong sense of the Holy Spirit's presence throughout the seminar.

The seminar was a catalyst for personal growth and commitment. It reinforced the importance of discipleship and evangelism as mutual endeavours, and underscored the non-optional nature of evangelistic participation among believers. The impact was tangible, with inspired attendees demonstrating their commitment to mission work. This commitment was exemplified by a visitor's decision to be baptised on June 8th at Slough Central SDA Church.

Hackney SDA Church Celebrates an Elder’s Ordination – Darell J. Philip

The 20th of April, 2024, marked a momentous occasion for the Hackney Seventh-day Adventist Church community. It was the day when Christopher Brooks, a beloved member of our community, was ordained as an Elder in the church, a role that holds great significance for us all.

Earlier that day, Brooks, in his sermon, The Lost Father, encouraged the youth to find their true identity in God, who provides security, belonging, and love in perfection beyond that which can be found in many homes. "It was not until I read in God's word of my true value, worth and purpose through Christ that I realised that my long search for love and identity was to be ultimately found in Him," said Brooks.

The ordination service, which took place that evening and was conducted by London Area 6C Coordinator Pastor Harrison Mburani alongside Hackney's Pastor Vaughn Thorpe, saw the church community celebrate along with the family and friends of Brooks's special occasion. Many of the young people in attendance had been touched by the ministry Brooks, who has a passion not only for music but more so for the Word of God and the powerful, life-transforming impact it can have in the lives of young people, amongst others.

Hackney First Elder John Mathieu, a mentor to Brooks, spoke of his joy at witnessing his ordination and his humility, determination, and positive influence on the young people, many of whom had returned to the church and church present on the day. Hackney Pastor Vaughn Thorpe told Brooks, "An Elder is not called to do but to be." At the same time, Pastor Harrison Mburani recognized that just as young Joshua took over from Moses, leading a younger generation of believers, Brooks had been called to do the same and would do so successfully while keeping his eyes fixed on Jesus.

On behalf of First Elder Tristan Cuniah, Wood Green Elder Philip Grant presented a gift and card from the membership along with some admonition related to God's particular call to Brooks to serve as a fellow Elder. Carole Mathieu, wife of Hackney First Elder John Mathieu, alongside Elder Herminia Mathieu and Wood Green Member Daszine Prince, encouraged Jana, wife of Chris Brooks and originally a member of the Wood Green SDA Community Church, as she, too, embarks on this new journey in supporting the call God has made on both their lives in servant leadership of the Hackney SDA Church Community.

The celebration of this special occasion was not limited to our church alone. Several other churches, including our Sister Church - Wood Green, former Sister Church, Walthamstow, and Mother church, Stoke Newington, joined us in giving thanks to God. The ordained Elders from these churches also laid hands on Brooks, symbolising their support and recognition of his new role.